Tensions flared in the Kenduadih area of Dhanbad district following the tragic deaths of two women due to a suspected toxic gas leak emanating from underground mines. The fatalities—Priyanka Devi on Wednesday evening and Lalita Devi earlier on Thursday—sparked immediate outrage, leading enraged villagers to block the major Dhanbad-Ranchi main road and set tires ablaze in a fiery protest.
Fatalities and Growing Health Crisis
The deaths have created widespread panic, with local residents vehemently attributing the fatalities to gas exposure and suffocation. Villagers report that the deceased women's health suddenly deteriorated, with one reportedly "foaming at the mouth" before being rushed to the hospital. Officials, however, maintain that the precise cause of death will only be confirmed after the post-mortem reports are received.
The gas leak, which residents claim has been spreading across areas like Rajput Basti and Masjid Mohalla, is causing a major health scare. Local residents estimate that between 15 to 20 people are sick, suffering from symptoms like headaches, vomiting, and difficulty breathing, forcing many families to abandon their homes and move to safer locations.
#WATCH | Dhanbad, Jharkhand: 2 women lost their lives as a gas leak in Kenduadih escalated. Villagers blocked the Dhanbad-Ranchi main road and burned tyres in protest against the district administration and the BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited) management. pic.twitter.com/igWcKvy9De
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2025
Protest Against Negligence and Road Blockade
The angry mob accused the District Administration and the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) management of chronic negligence. Protesters stated that despite the area being fire-prone and officially declared "unsafe" for years—a legacy of prior mining activity—BCCL has consistently failed to provide suitable alternative accommodation or effective solutions.
The blockade on the critical Dhanbad-Ranchi highway lasted for nearly four hours, causing significant traffic disruption. Protesters demanded immediate relocation guarantees and swift action from authorities, including expert institutions like DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety), to identify and permanently seal the source of the gas leak, which is suspected to be Carbon Monoxide.
BCCL and Administration Response
BCCL management has appealed to the residents to evacuate the area immediately, stressing that constant gas exposure is hazardous. A BCCL General Manager stated, "This is a fire-prone area, and we have been declaring it unsafe for years, yet people have not moved." The administration has set up relief tents and medical teams are assessing the health of the affected population.
The road blockade was eventually lifted following assurances from police and administrative officials that a meeting would be convened soon to address the demands for relocation and find a permanent solution to the persistent gas hazard plaguing the coal mining region.
